Chapter 6 - 5. The Vault In The Basement
"Welcome to the bartender's table," Lee Sol said while escorting Seul-ah to one of the tables near the railing, where she would be able to see the arena directly from her seat.
Fighters of all sizes and ages, even from different nationalities, could be seen around the arena. Seul-ah knew some of them were also still in the waiting room--or even in the bar above--especially the veterans and the seeded participant. The people who were busy moving down there were the relatively new ones; they were doing all they could to entice the clients to bet on them, from doing warm-ups to unofficial spars.
After all, unless someone bet on them, they wouldn't be able to get any money, even if they ended up as the champion that night.
Of course, not every fighter was there for the money. Some just wanted to challenge themselves; some did it as an initiation or a requirement to join organizations; some just sought a place for them to release their violent streak so they wouldn't accidentally do it outside and some...
Some just wanted to have fun.
"The real Helios," Seul-ah muttered.
Yes. This place wasn't made as an extension for the adult entertainment above. Instead, the glamorous upscale bar was made to mask the brutal desire happening underground.
"Doesn't it feel fierce like a blazing sun?" Lee Sol spread his arms and laughed softly as if talking about his beloved, favorite child.
"Indeed."
He smiled and placed a tablet that a staff gave him in front of Seul-ah. It had everything she needed to know about the rules of the arena and the bet, as well as the participant list for that night's event--or 'game' as they called it. "Would you like to have something while you peruse the drinks? It's still more than an hour before the first round starts."
"A red wine."